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E. A. Prych

Publications and source records attributed to E. A. Prych.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1998

Water velocities and the potential for the movement of bed sediments in Sinclair Inlet of Puget Sound, Washington

Sinclair Inlet is a small embayment of Puget Sound in the State of Washington. The inlet, about 6.5 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide, is the site of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. There are concerns that bed sediments in the inlet may have been contaminated as a result of activities at the shipyard, and that these sediments could be resuspended by tide- and wind-driven currents and transported within the inlet or out of the inlet to other parts of Puget Sound. This study was conducted to provide information concerning the potential for sediment resuspension in the inlet. To obtain the necessary data, vertical profiles of water current from about 2 meters above the bed to 2 meters below the water surface were monitored with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) at three locations during a 6.5-week winter period and a 4.5-week summer period in 1994. In addition, during the winter period, water velocites between 0.19 and 1.20 meters above the bed were measured with current meters using an instrument package called Geoprobe, which was deployed near one of the ADCPs. Other instruments on the Geoprobe measured light transmissivity, and a camera periodically took photographs of the bottom. Instruments on the Geoprobe and on the ADCPs also measured conductivity (for determining salinity), temperature, and pressure (for determinining tide). Samples of bed sediment and water samples for determining suspended-sediment concentration were collected at each of the current-measurement stations. Wind speed and direction were measured at three stations during a 12-month period, and tide was measured at one of these stations. Water currents measured at the three locations in Sinclair Inlet were relatively weak. Typical speeds were 5 to 10 centimeters per second, and the RMS (root-mean-square) speeds were less than 8 centimeters per second. Tidal and residual currents were of similar magnitude. Residual currents near the bottom typically were flowing in the opposite direction of the prevailing wind, while surface currents were in the same direction as the prevailing wind. During most of the year, the prevailing wind was from the soutwest quadrant; however, during July and August, the prevailing wind was usually from the northeast quadrant. The RMS of the total shear velocity for each ADCP station and measurement period, which was estimated from observed profiles of current velocity, ranged from 0.31 centimeters per second to 0.44 centimeters per second. The skin-friction component of the shear velocity was estimated to be no more than half the total. Critical shear velocity, estimated from particle sizes and density of the bed material, was 0.39 centimeters per second or larger. Comparisons of the skin-friction components of total bottom shear velocities with estimates of the critical shear velocity necessary for resuspension of the bed sediments indicate that resuspension occurs only infrequently, usually at times of maximum current during the tidal cycle. This conclusion is supported by measurements near the bed of light transmissivity, which is related to suspended-sediment concentration.

Washington↗
USGS1995

Data and statistical summaries of background concentrations of metals in soils and streambed sediments in part of Big Soos Creek drainage basin, King County, Washington

Twenty-nine soil samples from 14 holes at 9 sites in part of the Big Soos Creek drainage basin in southwest King County, Washington, were collected and analyzed to obtain data on the magnitude and variability of background concentrations of metals in soils. Seven streambed-sediment samples and three streamwater samples from three sites also were collected and analyzed. These data are needed by regulating government agencies to determine if soils at sites of suspected contamination have elevated concentrations of metals, and to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation at sites with known contamination. Concentrations of 43 metals were determined by a total method, and concentrations of 17 metals were determined by a total-recoverable method and two different leaching methods. Metals analyzed for by all methods included most of those on the U.S. Environmental Protection agency list of priority pollutants, plus alluminum, iron, and manganese. Ranges of concentrations of metals determined by the total method are within ranges found by others for the conterminous United States. Concentrations of mercury, manganese, phosphorus, lead, selenium, antimony, and zinc as determined by the total method, and of some of these plus other metals as determined by the other methods were larger in shallow soil (less than 12 inches deep) than in deep soil (greater than 12 inches). Concentrations of metals in streambed sediments were more typical of shallow than deep soils.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1995

Background concentrations of metals in soils from selected regions in the State of Washington

Soil samples from 60 sites in the State of Washington were collected and analyzed to determine the magnitude and variability of background concen- trations of metals in soils of the State. Samples were collected in areas that were relatively undisturbed by human activity from the most pre- dominant soils in 12 different regions that are representative of large areas of Washington State. Concentrations of metals were determined by five different laboratory methods. Concentrations of mercury and nickel determined by both the total and total-recoverable methods displayed the greatest variability, followed by chromium and copper determined by the total-recoverable method. Concentrations of other metals, such as aluminum and barium determined by the total method, varied less. Most metals concentrations were found to be more nearly log-normally than normally distributed. Total metals concentrations were not significantly different among the different regions. However, total-recoverable metals concentrations were not as similar among different regions. Cluster analysis revealed that sampling sites in three regions encompassing the Puget Sound could be regrouped to form two new regions and sites in three regions in south-central and southeastern Washington State could also be regrouped into two new regions. Concentrations for 7 of 11 total-recoverable metals correlated with total metals concentrations. Concen- trations of six total metals also correlated positively with organic carbon. Total-recoverable metals concentrations did not correlate with either organic carbon or particle size. Concentrations of metals determined by the leaching methods did not correlate with total or total-recoverable metals concentrations, nor did they correlate with organic carbon or particle size.

Washington↗
USGS1989

Streamflow statistics for streams on the Puyallup Indian Reservation, Washington

Streamflow statistics consisting of low flows, high flows, mean monthly flows, mean annual flows, flow durations, and peak flows were estimated for 16 sites on small streams on the Puyallup Indian Reservation, Washington. Drainage areas ranged from 0.62 to 16.7 sq mi. Streamflow statistics were also computed for the Puyallup River at Puyallup (gaging station 12101500). All of the small-stream statistics except for the peak flows were estimated by using station regression equations to transfer streamflow statistics for long-term gaging stations to the small-stream sites. An equation for each small-stream site was developed by regressing approximately 12 monthly measurements of discharge at that site with respect to concurrent daily mean discharges at a long-term gaging station. The coefficients of correlation between the discharges range from 0.98 to 0.79 except for one value of 0.58. Peak flows for the small-stream sites were estimated by use of regional regression equations. The regional regression equations, which express the statistics as functions of drainage area and mean annual precipitation, were developed using data for 26 gaging stations in the Puget Sound area. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1988

Flood-carrying capacities and changes in channels of the Lower Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers in western Washington

The flood-carrying capacity of the Puyallup River 's leveed channel from its mouth to the city of Puyallup exceeds the 100-yr-flood discharge at most locations. Upstream from the city of Puyallup the flood-carrying capacity also is less than the 100-yr flood at many locations. In King County the flood-carrying capacity would be greater than the 100-year flood nearly everywhere if the levees were in a good state of repair. The flood-carrying capacity of the leveed Carbon River channel is less than the 100-yr flood at numerous locations. Changes between 1976-77 and 1984 in average channel cross-section elevations for the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers were less than 1 ft at more than one-half of 90 surveyed cross sections and were more than 2 ft at only 5 of them. Changes in average elevations for the White River downstream of the inflow from Lake Tapps rose approximately 2 ft or more at 5 of the 10 surveyed cross sections, but decreased 2 ft or more at nearly one-half of 29 cross sections upstream of the reach. Differences between computed 100-yr floodwater-surface elevations for 1976-77 and 1984 channels are similar to changes in average cross-section elevations. Dense growths of streambank vegetation could increase 100-yr floodwater surface elevations by 1.2 ft. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1988

Ground-water resources and simulation of flow in aquifers containing freshwater and seawater, Island County, Washington

Aquifers in Island County, Washington, that are intruded by seawater from Puget Sound contain chloride concentrations that exceed 100 mg/L. Chloride concentrations exceeded 100 mg/L in 24 % of the wells that were drilled below sea level and sampled in August 1981, but most of the chloride concentrations did not exceed 1,000 mg/L. Groundwater occurs in glacial deposits that have a maximum thickness of 3,000 ft; the deposits were divided into five aquifers and five confining units. Four overlapping digital models were calibrated, using time-averaged data, to simulate three-dimensional steady flow of fresh groundwater in multiple aquifers containing freshwater and seawater separated by a sharp interface. Model simulations indicate that most of the recharge is discharged from aquifers C and D as springs below sea levels, and only a small fraction of the recharge moves downward below aquifer C. Simulations also indicate that aquifers beneath the islands are not recharged by groundwater that moves from the mainland through aquifers beneath Puget Sound except in the area of northeast Camano Island. Between Whidbey and Camano Islands, the freshwater-seawater interface intersects the bottom of Puget Sound and prevents movement of fresh groundwater between the two islands. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1987

Water quality in the lower Puyallup River valley and adjacent uplands, Pierce County, Washington

The quality of most ground and surface water within and adjacent to the lower Puyallup River valley is suitable for most typical uses; however, some degradation of shallow groundwater quality has occurred. High concentrations of iron and manganese were found in groundwater, sampled at depths of < 40 ft, from wells tapping alluvial aquifers and in a few wells tapping deeper aquifers. Volatile and acid- and base/neutral-extractable organic compounds were not detected in either shallow or deep groundwater samples. The quality of shallow groundwater was generally poorer than that of deep water. Deep ground water (wells set below 100 ft) appears suitable as a supplementary water supply for fish-hatchery needs. Some degradation of water quality, was observed downstream from river mile 1.7 where a municipal wastewater-treatment plant discharges into the river. In the Puyallup River, the highest concentrations of most trace elements were found in bed sediments collected downstream from river mile 1.7. Median concentrations of arsenic, lead, and zinc were higher in bed sediments from small streams compared with those from the Puyallup River, possibly because the small stream drainages, which are almost entirely within developed areas, receive more urban runoff as a percentage of total flow. Total-recoverable trace-element concentrations exceeded water-quality criteria for acute toxicity in the Puyallup River and in some of the small streams. In most cases, high concentrations of total-recoverable trace elements occurred when suspended-sediment concentrations were high. Temperatures in all streams except Wapato Creek and Fife Dutch were within limits (18 C) for Washington State class A water. Minimum dissolved oxygen concentrations were relatively low at 5.6 and 2.0 mg/L, respectively, for Wapato Creek and Fife Dutch. The poorest surface-water quality, which can be characterized as generally unsuitable for fish, was in Fife Dutch, a manmade channel and therefore uncharacteristic of other small streams. (Author 's abstract)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1986

Quantity and quality of storm runoff from three urban catchments in Bellevue, Washington

Data on the quantity and quality of urban runoff were collected, analyzed, and used to evaluate the effects of street sweeping and of stormwater detention on quality of runoff. The data included rainfall, runoff discharge, concentrations of selected constituents in discrete samples of runoff, and chemical characteristics of wet- and dry atmospheric deposition. Statistical analyses of runoff loads and of discharge-weighted constituent concentrations in runoff for about 25 different storms showed that, for most constituents, street sweeping had little effect on water quality. One reason is that much of the suspended material in runoff consisted of silt- and clay-size particles, the size classes least affected by street sweeping. That data also show that rainfall is often the source of one-third of the total nitrogen in stormwater runoff. Comparison of discharge-weighted average concentrations of the inflow and outflow of a stormwater detention system for four to seven storms indicated that the detention system did not have a large effect on the average concentrations of constituents in runoff. Regression equations for predicting runoff volumes and peak discharges for individual storms were derived separately for each catchment using data from nearly all storms. Standard errors of estimate for these storms were 21-28% for runoff volume and 22-40% for peak discharge. (Peters-PTT)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1983

Numerical simulation of ground-water flow in lower Satus Creek Basin, Yakima Indian Reservation, Washington

A multilayer numerical model of steady-state ground-water flow in lower Satus Creek basin was constructed, calibrated using time-averaged data, and used to estimate the long-term effects of proposed irrigation-water management plans on ground-water levels in the area. Model computations showed that irrigation of new lands in the Satus uplands would raise ground-water levels in lower Satus Creek basin and thereby increase the size of the waterlogged areas. The model also demonstrated that pumping water from wells, reducing the amount of irrigation water used in the lowlands, and stopping leakage from Satus No. 2 and 3 Pump Canals were all effective methods to alleviate present waterlogging in some parts of the basin and to counteract some of the anticipated ground-water-level rises that would be caused by irrigating the uplands. The proposed changes in water use affected model-computed ground-water levels most in the eastern part of the basin between Satus No. 2 and No. 3 Pump Canals. The effects on ground-water levels in the western part of the basin between Satus Creek and Satus No. 2 Pump Canal were smaller. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗